Gov’t issues 6 directives to LPG gas traders

The government has issued six directives to all Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealers across the country following the Thursday night gas explosion at an unlicensed cooking gas filling plant in Mradi, Embakasi Nairobi County.

In a joint press release by the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki, the government has ordered a nationwide crackdown to ensure compliance.

The two ministries will collaborate with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

“To sustain compliance efforts, the government will prioritize demolition of all illegal sites through the Multi-Agency Rapid Results Initiatives and ensure that fresh risk assessment is undertaken for all LPG plants in the country with the view of closing all non-compliant sites,” part of the statement read.

The ministers stated that there will be an immediate rollout of government LPG growth which includes the development and implementation of a track and trace framework for LPG cylinders to improve traceability and accountability.

“Apply punitive administrative measures to all LPG operators found filling cylinders without the written authority of brand owners,” the CSs directed.

To improve accountability by players in the sector, the ministries will strengthen the LPG data verification framework.

Further, the ministries will hold nationwide LPG stakeholder workshops to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework in the LPG sector and hold public awareness and sensitization programs to promote LPG safety among the public.

Notably, the gas blast was caused after a truck carrying gas blew up at about half past eleven at night before igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely.

At least two people have so far been confirmed dead and over 300 injured with a possibility of the number going up.

Neighbouring residential buildings, businesses and cars were also damaged in the blast and subsequent inferno.

Meanwhile, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has confirmed that the company running the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant had been denied an operating licence severally.

In a statement, EPRA said that it had received applications from the plant operators on March 19, 2023, June 20, 2023, and July 21, 2023.

“Applications for construction permits for a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant at the site were received by EPRA on 19th March 2023, 20th June 2023, and 31st July 2023. All applications were rejected as they did not meet the set criteria for an LPG storage and filling plant in that area,” EPRA stated.

According to EPRA, the main reason for the rejection was a failure of the designs to meet the safety distances stipulated in the Kenya Standard.

“EPRA noted the high population density around the proposed site and the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment clearly indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an explosion like the one that happened yesterday,” the regulator added.

“The blast profiles are simulated by use of computer software and indicate the effect of a typical blast in terms of heat radiation and tremor/vibration and are useful in reviewing the safety of the surrounding areas.”